Casper Ruud claimed his first ATP 500 trophy at the Barcelona Open, held on the court dedicated to Rafael Nadal. Ruud’s impressive performance throughout the week led him to victory in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
After his win, Ruud expressed his admiration for Nadal, whom he idolized while growing up. Ruud’s playing style is often compared to that of Nadal, and his preference for clay courts aligns with his idol’s strengths.
Ruud’s win on the court named after Nadal held special significance for him, considering his childhood memories of watching Nadal play at the same venue.
In a rematch from the Monte-Carlo Masters final, where Tsitsipas emerged victorious, Ruud avenged his previous loss. Ruud shared that his strategy in the Barcelona Open final was to be more aggressive compared to their previous encounter.
Both Ruud and Tsitsipas will now shift their focus to the upcoming Madrid Open, with a past meeting at that event adding another layer of intrigue to their rivalry.
